Tuition & Affordability
Your Island School Experience is Within Reach
The Island School is founded upon the belief that students will leave our programs as engaged global citizens, empowered to be active leaders of their generation. To provide this opportunity for all qualified students, The Island School must support a culture of equity and accessibility. Our tuition assistance makes this opportunity available for those committed to being changemakers in their community.
Our students are accepted in a need-blind process, meaning acceptance to The Island School is not determined by a family’s need for tuition assistance. Approximately 25% of students per term receive tuition assistance; these amounts can have a wide range and are dependent on the financial needs of the applicant pool as a whole. We use an outside service through School and Student Services (SSS) to help assess a family’s demonstrated need and generate awards in a fair and unbiased manner.
1 in 4
One in four students receives tuition assistance
$500
We require all families to invest a minimum of $500 toward tuition.
100%
We offer payment plans for all our families. We require tuition to be paid in full before student records are released.
Semester & Summer Term Tuition Rates
The 2025-2026 school year tuition rates for the High School Semester and Summer Term cover room and board and a portion of travel costs. We ask that the family contributions be paid in full before a student arrives on Eleuthera.
| Summer Term | |
| Summer 2024 | $18,350 *inclusive of a one-way charter from Nassau to Eleuthera |
| Semester | |
| Fall 2025 | $39,750 *inclusive of a roundtrip charter between Nassau and Eleuthera |
| Spring 2026 | $39,750 *inclusive of a roundtrip charter between Nassau and Eleuthera |
Guidelines & Policies
- Our process for admissions is need-blind; admissions decisions are not determined by a family’s need for tuition assistance. Tuition assistance is shared at the same time as admissions decisions.
- All families have a minimum contribution of $500 toward tuition.
- While we are not able to meet 100% of a family’s demonstrated need, we offer a payment plan to all families.
- Submission of an application for tuition assistance does not guarantee eligibility, which is determined by SSS and the Tuition Assistance Committee upon completion of the application including all required documents.
- Tuition Assistance applications are only considered if submitted by the posted deadline.
- Families that own more than one property or home are not eligible for tuition assistance.
- In order for a Tuition Assistance application to be considered complete, all guardians are required to submit a Parent Financial Statement (PFS); inclusive of divorced or separate households and stepparents.
- We accept Tuition Assistance applications from families residing in any location; international families (residing in The Bahamas or outside of the U.S.) will be required to submit supplemental documents in place of U.S. tax documents.
How to Apply for Tuition Assistance
The application to apply for tuition assistance for the 2025-2026 school year is now available. Please follow the instructions outlined below to get started:
- Create an account with SSS and submit a Parent Financial Statement (PFS): To apply for tuition assistance, follow this link to the Family Portal and ‘Create an Account’ or log in if you have an existing account with School and Student Services (SSS). Once you create an account for the 2025-2026 school year (matching the school year you are applying to), please add either “The Island School: Semester” (code 200273) or “The Island School: Summer” (code 200274).
- Upload required tax documents: Your application for tuition assistance will be considered complete once you submit your PFS and required tax documents. We require a copy of your completed prior-year tax forms, including W2, 1099, and 1040, all schedules if applicable, and any current-year forms you have received. For families residing outside of the U.S.; please email admissions@islandschool.org for the supplemental International Student Profile document to replace the required U.S. tax documents.
- Complete the application by the following deadlines:
Summer
| Application Deadline | January 15 |
| Admission Decision & Tuition Assistance Emailed | February 14 |
| Enrollment Deadline | February 28 |
Semester
| Deadline | February 15 |
| Admission Decision & Tuition Assistance Emailed | March 14 |
| Enrollment Deadline | March 28 |
The tuition assistance application, commonly referred to as the Parent Financial Statement (PFS), has a $60 application fee that will not be charged until the application is completed. This is a one-time fee, meaning that if you are using this system for other schools and programs, you will only need to submit one application fee. To inquire about a fee waiver, please contact us (admissions@islandschool.org).
We encourage you to reach out directly to SSS if you have questions on how to complete the application. For a visual guide through the application process, watch this how-to video provided by The Island School! Check out these tips for a successful application provided by SSS. There are also How-To Apply (English) and How-To Apply (Español) guides available.
You can visit the SSS Parent Resources page or call the SSS Help Desk directly, at 800-344-8328.
Semester & Summer Term Merit Scholarship Opportunities
We are excited to share more about our partnerships and offer merit-based scholarship opportunities to student applicants. The following opportunities include a full tuition scholarship for the specified program. This does not include the required family contribution of $500 toward tuition as well as flights and incidentals. Below is the eligibility for each scholarship. Note, we require submission of the application for Tuition Assistance in order to be considered for any scholarship opportunity so that we can best assess how we support our families. Please email admissions@islandschool.org for the next steps as we look forward to supporting you!
Semester
BHGH | Brooklyn, NY
Boys Hope Girls Hope of New York (BHGH) has held a partnership for over 10 years with The Island School supporting New York-based students coming from disadvantaged backgrounds to expand their educational experiences. Eligible students are current BHGH scholars. This is a Semester scholarship.
BESS | The Bahamas
The Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF) and The Island School have partnered to offer the Bahamas Environmental Stewards Scholarship (BESS), a year-long opportunity for Bahamian students to experience a work and study experience focused on and immersed in conservation efforts with the local environment. This gap year programme is endorsed by The Bahamas Ministry of Education and includes a Semester at The Island School and internship placement(s).
Eligible students are Bahamian citizens (or eligible for) and recent high school graduates between the ages of 15-18 who are interested in learning more about the environment, conservation, and sustainable systems.
Summer Term
COLLEGE TRACK | Sacramento, CA
The Island School has partnered with the Sacramento chapter of College Track to support students in Northern California to prepare them academically, socially, and emotionally for a successful future ahead. This chapter is focused on expanding STEAM opportunities for their scholars.
Eligible students are currently enrolled as College Track Scholars. This is a Summer Term scholarship.
VETERAN | No location restrictions
The Island School is honored to partner with service member-centric organizations such as Patrol Base Abbate (PBA) and Third Option Foundation to offer the Veteran Scholarship in order to provide greater opportunities for students of military service families. This opportunity is mission-aligned with the goal of launching the next generation of leaders who understand the importance of service to community and have the confidence and grit to lead on through the many challenges and experiences ahead.
Eligible students have a parent/guardian who is in/active for any service outfit. Please note, families do not need to be directly affiliated with any particular organization in order to apply for this Summer Term scholarship.
HORIZONS | Bridgeport, CT
Horizons at Greens Farms Academy pairs underserved students in the Bridgeport area with academic mentors to support their growth in academic, social, and emotional skills. As part of their opportunities for enrichment experiences, we are excited to work together to offer a scholarship to eligible Horizons students.
This is a Summer Term scholarship.
METCO | Boston, MA
The Metropolitan Council (METCO) and The Island School’s missions are aligned with the goal of launching the next generation of leaders by providing an environment that fosters personal and interpersonal growth, and development for young adults.
In order to apply to this scholarship, you must be currently enrolled in the METCO program serving the Greater Boston School Districts. This is a Summer Term scholarship.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I qualify for tuition assistance?
Tuition assistance is awarded based on demonstrated family need. Awards range each year and are dependent on the qualified applicant pool as a whole. If you are unsure whether you qualify, SSS will help to identify the gap. While we are not able to meet 100% of demonstrated need, we also offer interest-free payment plans to all families, and can help to identify other resources that may be available to you. Please note, we do have a policy that families who own multiple homes do not qualify for tuition assistance.
Who applies for tuition assistance if my parents are divorced or separated?
We require both families to complete separate PFS applications in order to have a full financial picture to make a fair assessment. If a parent remarries, the PFS will require information of the stepparent.
What if I am not the parent of the applicant?
We ask that a guardian who is financially responsible for the applicant complete the PFS. On the application, you will be able to include a description of your relationship to the student.
Can I apply for tuition assistance as an international student?
All students and families are eligible to apply for tuition assistance regardless of their location. Our ability to determine a level of demonstrated need is through assessing US tax returns. If you are an international student applying for tuition assistance, please reach out to our admissions team at admissions@islandschool.org, for a modified application that is specific to your needs. Note, Bahamas-based families are considered international applicants and will require the modified application.
Do you have scholarships for Bahamian students?
Our Bahamas Environmental Stewardship Scholarship (BESS) in partnership with Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF), is available to Bahamian citizens. This opportunity is a great fit for recent high school graduates who are looking to gain a year-long opportunity to explore sustainable systems, conservation, and environmental leadership in The Bahamas. If you are interested in applying for this opportunity, please visit the BREEF website or email breef@breef.org.
If you are a current high school student residing in The Bahamas and interested in a single-Semester or Summer Term, please reach out to our admissions team at admissions@islandschool.org, for a modified application that is specific to your needs.
What does need-blind mean?
Need-blind admissions process means that your acceptance to The Island School Semester or Summer Term is not determined or impacted by your need for tuition assistance. The process of admission is completed prior to the review of your PFS.
What is covered through a tuition assistance package?
Our tuition assistance packages are tuition-based only, meaning they only go towards room and board. Additional expenses include travel, school clothing, and gear. Incidental costs can include any outside medical treatment, and personal spending money. We suggest planning for $1,000 – $1,500 in additional costs. If you would like to discuss options on how past students and families have worked through these additional expenses, please email admissions@islandschool.org.
Do you accept 529 Educational Saving Plans?
In the past, we have seen families use a 529 Savings Plan to contribute to tuition costs. We encourage you to reach out to your financial advisor or tax planner if you are planning to pull from a 529 Educational Savings plan. There are many implications that vary from state to state. As a reminder, The Island School is an international organization governed under The Bahamas, which may impact the ability to withdraw from a 529 Educational Savings Plan.
What if I already have a PFS filled out for another school?
If you have already submitted a PFS for another school, you can add “The Island School: Semester” (code 200273) or “The Island School: Summer” (code 200274), under the list of schools selected to receive your information. You will need to submit the required tax documents listed above.
Is my information kept confidential?
Yes, SSS meets the most rigorous standards for security. The only people at The Island School with access to your application is the Tuition Assistance Committee.
Still have more questions? Please reach out to admissions@islandschool.org for additional information.
